What Changes would you make to R ship in a major drydock refit

Here is all the information you need and more about NCLH and the three brands including the future.

 

They laid it all out in the investor conference a couple weeks ago. $100m in drydock for the 4 ships. Not quite down to the studs but a good chuck of money per ship.

 

227 powerpoint slides - Oceana Fleet enhancement are slide 144-145

 

http://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/events/event-details/2018-investor-analyst-conference

This report is very interesting! I'm a stockholder, so I appreciate reading their strategies for the future. Also, I'll be sailing on the 2019 O world cruise and look forward to improvements on the ship....hoping for new showers in place of the tubs in the PH suites and bigger bathrooms/showers in non-suite cabins. But I like the elegant decor of the Insignia....hoping they don't get rid of it and create an ultra-modern look (but I think they will).

Glad to read that they're planning to decrease the paper mailings and do more emails....at least I can unsubscribe to emails if they're too frequent and not have so many flyers in my mailbox.

 

Glad to read that they're planning to decrease the paper mailings and do more emails....at least I can unsubscribe to emails if they're too frequent and not have so many flyers in my mailbox.

Interesting and I guess this cut has not yet started.

We received two mailings in the last five days and four brochures included in our daily WSJ and NYT plus one in the local paper. I for one will believe it when I see it....

 

Glad to read that they're planning to decrease the paper mailings and do more emails....at least I can unsubscribe to emails if they're too frequent and not have so many flyers in my mailbox.

I didn't really read it that way. I better go read it again, or at least that part.

I didn't really read it that way. I better go read it again, or at least that part.

Here is what they mentioned concerning that. I can see how you could take that away.

I read it as while they will reduce the amount of direct mailing increase emails, direct mail will still be the main marketing technique. ::

• While direct mail is still primary marketing vehicle we are focused on:

– Mailing fewer pieces that are more personalized, relevant and impactful –

Targeted direct mail pieces based on prior cruise history, indicated preferences and web footprint trail –

Launched new, specialized, editorial-style pieces that showcase the immersive nature of an Oceania Cruises experience •

Results in reduced acquisition costs and higher margin per booking

I think many replies ignore the logistical problems of relocating bathrooms, kitchens and bars!

The R class ships are, so far as I know, not built on the modern modular system of the megaships - fully fitted units of cabins and bathrooms built off site and then trundled in and connected up - so a fundamental change in layout is probably not an option.

I don't really have any issue with the bathroom and shower size, or the shower curtain - although Oceania have stopped having the shower curtains that have a cord own the door side that slots into the rail and keeps the water inside: they need to bring them back and also put a couple of inches back on the curtain length for the same reason.

Those who have been on the "new" "improved" Sirena (Both sets of quotes my own!) seem to be divided on the merits of the Tuscan Steak remodelling, but I think the majority share my opinion that it was very much a retrograde step. Trying to squeeze a quart (Marina, Riviera) into a pint "O" class was never going to work, and the menu mix and decor in "Polo" are just awful. For those who like Red Ginger I suppose it's an offset, but many don't anyway.

The present set up of Barrista's is excellent - it's big enough to handle the traffic and encroaching on the shopping area would be crass - people like to sit and listen to the strings in the evening, not the chat from coffee drinkers! (That, of course, is assuming the strings are worth listening to....)

>>Move the TVs. Best place is across from the bed indented into the wall. No need for DVD players as they should put the system on a media system that allows these to be called up on demand.<<

Difficult one, that. Many of the older TVs are definitely due for scrapping anyway, and one hates to think what bugs infest the remotes! Over the dressing table (in the concierge cabins) would be the best place, angled towards the bed so that window reflected light doesn't wash out the screen. And do something about the speakers - the sound from a small TV in a half-cabinet is lousy.

>>Casino space. Few use it, think this area could be better utilized, with another specialty restaurant like Jacques.<<

Agree entirely: I have rarely seen more than a small handful of guests sitting at the tables - usually just two or three croupiers staring fixedly into space wondering how long until the shift ends. Martinis would benefit enormously by expanding into the casino space, where people who wanted to chat over a drink could get away from the piano volume. I suppose someone in Oceania has done sums which make an economic case for the casino, but the demographic of guests to me make this a no-brainer.

>>Very personal view change the decor from “Disney does Downton” to something lighter and more modern.<<

IMO again, the demographic is for the most part not interested in a modern look: let's face it the high proportion of returning and loyal guests shows that they prefer small ships and by inference the present decor. I find it just right: not showy but nicely "clubby". That's not to say that it doesn't in places need a thorough cleaning and sprucing up, but making "modern": no thanks!

>>i cast a 'no' vote for putting Baristas in the library. I love the library on the R ships and would not like that lovely quiet place to become the 'in' place. <<

Hear, hear! The library is sacrosanct!

>>Fix the air con. Seems like the R ship always have issues.<<

Someone told me - true or false? - that these old ships' heat exchangers rely on ocean temperatures being below what they are now operating in while in the tropics, where they can't get rid of the heat. If true, this should be an essential upgrade.

>>Well since I doubt Oceania execs asked anyone here their input on the refurb it is a moot point. The thread is wishful thinking or hoping at best <<

It's certainly not going to be acted on during the next refit schedule! They probably fixed that a year ago - the logistics of location, designing, ordering and tendering don't happen overnight!

>>O can get a head start on the demolition of the ship while passengers are on board cruising like another cruise ship did recently

I can't remember what ship that was but I wanted to look it up this morning. Talking about POed passengers...<<

We were on Regatta before a refit a couple of years ago and, yes, having jackhammers chipping rust and things being torn out for several days when every day has been paid (well paid) - for is like a corporate kick in the teeth. And post-refit: the Sirena recommissioning from Princess was an expensive farce, with workers still trying to get it all together months after she was in the water, such was the state Princess left her in.

>>Totally agree with #1!!! They may not be able to make the shower or bathroom larger, but at least replace the hideous shower curtain with glass.<<

I can't see how, in the smaller cabins, this would be an advantage: think where the glass would go and how you'd get in and out of the shower!

Let's face it, a couple of weeks in dry dock isn't going to allow major structural changes: I just hope that the plan isn't to spend hugely bringing the class "up to date", when my experience is that most people like the present style. They spent a lot of money for example getting rid of the pleasant mural Tuscan pictures in the Terrace and putting in nasty white stone dust-gathering walls inside and out and destroyed the ambiance in the process!

Long post, but thanks to the OP for starting the thread.